High Court of KeralaSingle JudgeWrit petition allowed; police directed to ensur...

St. Mary's Orthodox Syrian Church Mangalam Dam Post, Mangalam Dam Village, Alathur Taluk, Palakkad District v. State of Kerala and others

Case / Petition Number:WP(C) NO.11685 OF 2022

Case Details & Bench

Court
High Court of Kerala
Hon'ble Judges
  • ANU SIVARAMAN
Judgment Date
2023-02-03
Court Decision / Holding
The writ petition is allowed. The court directed the police to take appropriate steps to enforce the binding directions of the Apex Court as per Ext. P7 and to provide adequate protection to the petitioners who are lawfully appointed Vicars under the 1934 Constitution to enter the church and perform services, within one month from receipt of the judgment.
Final Disposition
Writ petition allowed; police directed to ensure compliance with Ext.P7; provide adequate protection to lawfully appointed Vicars to enter the church and perform services within one month.

Parties to the Case

Appellants / Petitioners

  • St. Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Church Mangalam Dam Post, Mangalam Dam Village, Alathur Taluk, Palakkad District
  • Fr. Mathai Panamkuttiyil
  • Fr. Sam Varghese

Respondents

  • State of Kerala represented by the Chief Secretary to State of Kerala, Government Secretariat, Thiruvananthapuram
  • The Chief Secretary, Govt. of Kerala, Government Secretariat, Thiruvananthapuram
  • Additional Chief Secretary to Government Department of Home, Government of Kerala
  • Director General of Police and State Police Chief, Police Headquarters, Thiruvananthapuram
  • The District Collector, Palakkad
  • The District Police Chief, District Police Office, Palakkad
  • Revenue Divisional Officer, Palakkad
  • The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Alathur
  • Circle Inspector of Police (SHO), Mangalam Dam Police Station
  • Fr. Varghese Palathinkal
  • Fr. Raju Markose
  • Thankachan M.A.
  • Shaju Markose

Legal Representation & Advocates

Counsels for Petitioners

  • • S. Sreekumar (Sr.)
  • • Rosen D. Alexander
  • • Tina Alex
  • • Harimohan

Counsels for Respondents

  • • Asok M. Cherian
  • • P. Vijayaraghavan (Palayil)
  • • Sreenath Vijayaraghavan
  • • P. V. Elias

Case Synopsis & Summary

St. Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Church Mangalam Dam Post, a constituent church of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, sought police protection and directions from the Kerala High Court to ensure that its 1934 Constitution-appointed clergy could conduct services in the church, cemetery, and kurishadies without obstruction by the Jacobite faction and its supporters. The petitioners alleged that since 1995 they have faced entry bans and hindrances from respondents 10–13, despite a framework of binding orders clarifying who could perform duties under the 1934 Constitution. A civil suit under Section 92 CPC had been filed and later revoking leave ordered; Ext.P7 (Common Supreme Court order in KS Varghese v. St. Peter's & Paul's) held that decrees affecting all constituent churches must be enforced and that police protection could be ordered to ensure compliance. The petition contends that the authorities have failed to execute the Apex Court's directions; respondents counter that the writ is misconceived, there is no breach of peace, and police cannot resolve civil disputes or enforce civil judgments; there is doubt about the church’s status. The High Court held that the Apex Court’s binding directions apply to all constituent Malankara churches, and that police must ensure compliance. The petition is allowed with directions to take steps within one month to grant adequate protection to the petitioners so they may enter the church and perform services unhindered.

Provisions of Law Cited

Section 92 of the Code of Civil Procedure (CPC)Article 226 of the Constitution of IndiaArticle 136 of the Constitution of India

Legal Doctrines & Maxims

  • Police protection to enforce binding orders of the Apex Court (binding directives apply to all constituent churches)
  • High Court can protect fundamental rights in writs on par with the Supreme Court within constitutional framework
  • Execution of decrees is a matter of governance where police may be invoked for enforcement of binding orders
  • Bona fide disputes regarding identity of property are not to bar enforcement of binding orders where Apex Court directions exist

Submissions & Arguments

Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners

The petitioners argued that they are the lawfully appointed Vicars of the St. Mary’s Church under the 1934 Constitution. They seek police protection to enter the church and conduct religious services without obstruction by the Jacobite faction (respondents 10–13). Relying on Ext. P7 (KS Varghese in KS Varghese v. St. Peter’s & Paul’s), they contend that binding Supreme Court directions must be enforced across all constituent churches, and police protection should be provided to ensure compliance. They cite Ext. P8 (Alathur) showing ongoing obstructions and Ext. P9 representations to police. They contend that executing apex decrees falls within writ jurisdiction and that Article 226 is an appropriate remedy to secure protection where life and worship are at risk. They argue that bona fide disputes about church identity are not a bar to enforcing binding orders and that delay undermines the apex directions.

Contentions of Respondents

The respondents argued the petition is misconceived; police cannot adjudicate civil rights or governance disputes. They contended there is no St. Mary’s Orthodox Church in Mangalam Dam; the church is Jacobite, and 10th respondent’s locus is doubtful. They argued there is no breach of peace, the petition seeks enforcement of a Supreme Court decree through Article 226, which is inappropriate; a contempt petition is pending before the Supreme Court; execution must be through civil procedure; police protection to determine civil rights or enforce decrees would overstep jurisdiction and disrupt governance.

Cited Precedents (14)

Case NameCitationTreatmentExplanation
K.S. Varghese v. St. Peter's & Paul's Syrian Orthodox Church and others(2017) 15 SCC 333PositiveApex Court’s binding directions apply to all constituent Malankara churches; supports enforcement through police protection per Ext.P7.
Moran Mar Baselious Mathews II v. State of Kerala(2003) 1 KLT 780OverruledThe judgment notes that Moran Mar Baselious Mathews II has been overruled.
State of U. P. v. Nawab HussainAIR 1977 SC 1680Mentioned OnlyCited to support constructive res judicata in writ proceedings; court does not adopt here.
K. C. Thomas v. Superintendent of Police1980 KLT 151Mentioned OnlyCited regarding police cannot adjudicate civil disputes; not adopted as controlling here.
The Malankara Rubber & Produce Co. Ltd. v. Appachan Varghese & others1988 (2) KLJ 295Mentioned OnlyCited to discuss police role; not decisive here.
Kochupennu Ambujakshi & another v. Velutha Kunju Vasu Channar & ors.1992 (2) KLJ 606Mentioned OnlyCited in context of policing authority; not adopted as controlling.
George Mirante v. State of Kerala1990 (2) KLT 89Mentioned OnlyCited generally about police vs civil dispute; not dispositive.
Prabhu v. Indira1994 (2) KLT 75Mentioned OnlyCited regarding police powers; not adopted as controlling.
Thrissur Expressway Limited v. State of Kerala2022 (4) KLT 702Mentioned OnlyCited in context of civil matters and police powers; not binding here.
Mar Miletius Yuhanon v. Mar Thomas Dionysious & Ors.2020 (4) KHC 14PositiveCases holding police duty to enforce decrees and provide protection; supports current holding.
Marthoman Church, Mulanthuruthy & Ors. v. State of Kerala & Ors.2020 (3) KHC 448PositiveSupports police protection to enforce binding orders regarding church property and governance.
FR. ISSAC MATTAMEL COR EPISCOPA v. (Supreme Court judgment cited as) 2019 (10) SCC 6062019 (10) SCC 606PositiveCited Supreme Court judgment related to church governance; used in support of governance principles.
Fr. Thomas Paul Ramban v. District Collector, Ernakulam & Others2020 (3) KLT 124Mentioned OnlyCited in Appendix; context is background/background exhibits rather than binding authority here.
Aligarh Municipal Board & ors. v. Ekka Tonga Mazdoor Union & ors.AIR 1970 SC 1767Mentioned OnlyCited to discuss writ petition limitations; not adopted as controlling here.

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Extracted Judgment Text

Exact text extracted from official judgment records.

## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** **THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE ANU SIVARAMAN FRIDAY, THE 3[RD] DAY OF FEBRUARY 2023 / 14TH MAGHA, 1944** ## **WP(C) NO.11685 OF 2022** ## **- PETITIONES :** 1 ST. MARY'S ORTHODOX SYRIAN CHURCH MANGALAM DAM POST, MANGALAM DAM VILLAGE, ALATHUR TALUK, PALAKKAD DISTRICT - 678 706 REPRESENTED BY ITS VICAR FR. MATHAI PANAMKUTTIYIL 2 FR. MATHAI PANAMKUTTIYIL, AGED 63 YEARS S/O. P.M PURAVATH, VICAR, ST. MARY'S ORTHODOX SYRIAN CHURCH, MANGALAM DAM, RESIDING AT PANAMKUTTIYIL HOUSE, VADAKKENCHERRY, PALAKKAD DISTRICT -678 683. 3 FR. SAM VARGHESE, AGED 51 YEARS ASSISTANT VICAR, ST. MARY'S ORTHODOX SYRIAN CHURCH MANGALAM DAM, RESIDING AT ORTHODOX BISHOP'S HOUSE, GEDSEEMON ARAMANA, MANNUTHY, THRISSUR - 680 651 BY ADVS. S.SREEKUMAR (SR.) ROSHEN.D.ALEXANDER TINA ALEX THOMAS HARIMOHAN ## **- RESPONDENTS :** 1 STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY TO STATE OF KERALA, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 695 001. 2 THE CHIEF SECRETARY, GOVT. OF KERALA, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 695 001. 3 ADDITIONAL CHIEF SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT OF HOME, GOVERNMENT OF KERALA, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 695 001. 4 THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE AND STATE POLICE CHIEF, POLICE HEAD QUARTERS, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 695 001 WP(C) NO.11685 OF 2022 ||-: 2 :-| |---|---| |5|THE DISTRICT COLLECTOR| ||COLLECTORATE, PALAKKAD, PIN : 678 001| |6|THE DISTRICT POLICE CHIEF| ||DISTRICT POLICE OFFICE, PALAKKAD,| ||PALAKKAD DISTRICT, PIN : 678 001.| |7|REVENUE DIVISIONAL OFFICER| ||OFFICE OF THE REVENUE DIVISIONAL OFFICER,| ||PALAKKAD - 678 001.| |8|THE DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE| ||ALATHUR P.O, PALAKKAD DISTRICT,| ||KERALA, PIN : 678 541.| |9|CIRCLE INSPECTOR OF POLICE, (SHO)| ||MANGALAM DAM POLICE STATION, PALAKKAD - 678 706.| |10|FR.VARGHESE PALATHINKAL, AGED 47 YEARS| ||S/O.KURIAKOSE, PALATHINKAL HOUSE, KAIRADY P.O,| ||PALAKKAD - 678 510.| |11|FR.RAJU MARKOSE, AGED 57 YEARS| ||S/O.MARKOSE, PUTHUSSERY HOUSE, OLIMKADAVU P.O,| ||MANGALAMDAM, PALAKKAD - 678 706.| |12|THANKACHAN M.A., AGED 60 YEARS| ||S/O.LATE ABRAHAM, MANIELIL HOUSE, NELLIYAMKUNNU,| ||ALATHUR P.O, PALAKKAD - 678 541.| |13|SHAJU MARKOSE, AGED 52 YEARS| ||S/O.MARKOSE, PUTHUSSERY HOUSE, OLIMKADAVU P.O,| ||MANGALAMDAM, PALAKKAD - 678 706.| ||BY ADVS.| ||SRI.ASOK M.CHERIAN, ADDL. ADVOCATE GENERAL| ||P.VIJAYARAGHAVAN ((PALAYIL)| ||SREENATH VIJAYARAGHAVAN| ||P.V.ELIAS| THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 10.1.2023, THE COURT ON 03.02.2023 DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: WP(C) NO.11685 OF 2022 -: 3 :- ## JUDGMENT ## Dated this the 3rd day of February, 2023 This writ petition is filed by the St.Mary's Orthodox Syrian Church, Mangalam Dam Village in Alathur Taluk in Palakkad District represented by its Vicar and the Vicar and Assistant Vicar of the church seeking directions to respondents 1 to 9 to afford adequate protection to the life of the petitioners 2 and 3 and other Clergy appointed under the 1934 Constitution to conduct religious services in the 1[st] petitioner Church, its cemetery and kurishadies and also to the Clergy and Parishioners of the Church who declare allegiance to the 1934 Constitution in participating in such religious services without any obstruction, interruption or hindrance from respondents 10 to 13, their men, agents or followers. 2. I have heard Sri.S.Sreekumar, the learned Senior Counsel appearing for the petitioners as instructed by Sri.Roshan D. Alexander, Sri.Asok M. Cherian, the learned Additional Advocate General as well as Sri.O. V. Radhakrishnan, the learned Senior Counsel appearing for respondents 10 to 13 as instructed by Sri.P. Vijayaraghavan. WP(C) NO.11685 OF 2022 -: 4 :- 3. It is submitted by the learned Senior Counsel appearing for the petitioners that the 1[st] petitioner Church is one of the churches of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. Exts.P1 and P2 are the Kalpanas of the Diocesan Metropolitan, Thrissur Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Church appointing the 2[nd] petitioner as the Vicar and the 3[rd] petitioner as the Assistant Vicar of the 1[st] petitioner Church. It is submitted that though the 1[st] petitioner was established in the year 1980, it is admittedly a Constituent Church of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. However, from 1995 onwards the Church was under the parallel administration by the Jacobite faction. None of the Vicars lawfully appointed by the Diocesan Metropolitan of the Thrissur Diocese in accordance with the 1934 Constitution of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church were permitted to enter the premises of the Church or to conduct religious services by the sympathizers of the patriarch faction. 4. It is stated that the 2[nd] petitioner along with two parishioners filed O.S. No.442/2012 before the Sub Court, Palakkad after obtaining leave under Section 92 of the Code of Civil Procedure. Later, the suit was transferred to the 1[st] WP(C) NO.11685 OF 2022 -: 5 :- Additional District Court, Ernakulam (Special Court assigned for handling church cases) and was re-numbered as O.S. No.7/2014 on the files of the 1[st] Additional District Court, Ernakulam. After the transfer of the suit, the defendants in the suit filed I.A. No.5432/2017 for revoking the leave already granted under Section 92 of the Code of Civil Procedure. The 1[st] Additional District Court allowed the application, revoked the leave and struck off the suit from the file by Ext.P5 order, which was challenged in FAO No.96/2018 along with three other similar matters. Ext.P6 common judgment was rendered by this Court on 10.7.2018 in FAO No.96/2018 and connected cases. An SLP was filed against Ext.P6. Leave was granted and the Civil Appeal was numbered. However, in the meanwhile, the decision in K.S. Varghese v. St. Peter's & Paul's Syrian Orthodox Church and others [(2017) 15 SCC 333] had been rendered by the Apex Court. The Civil Appeals were disposed of by Ext.P7 order, which reads as follows :- “As the controversy in question has been finally decided in the case of K.S.Verghese Vs. St.Peter's & Paul's Syrian Orth. & Ors. in C.A. No.3674 of 2015 etc. decided on 3[rd] July, 2017 [2017 (15) SCC 333], which holds the field, nothing further survives in the matters for adjudication. Consequently, the appeals stand WP(C) NO.11685 OF 2022 ## -: 6 :- disposed of in view of the above judgment. Let all the concerned courts and authorities act in terms of the judgment. Let there be no multiplicity of the litigation on this aspect any more in the various courts. The decision rendered in representative suit is binding on all.” 5. It is submitted that since petitioners 2 and 3 are the lawfully appointed Vicars as per the 1934 Constitution, they were entitled, on the basis of Ext.P7 decree in the Civil Appeal, to discharge their duties as such. However, respondents 10 to 13 and their men forcefully prevented the petitioners from entering the Church and performing their duties. They had tried to reagitate the questions settled by the Apex Court by filing further litigations. Ext.P8 is a judgment dated 11.3.2020 in O.S. No.74/2019 on the files of the Munsiff Court, Alathur. When there were continuing obstructions from respondents 10 to 13, the petitioners had approached the police seeking necessary assistance for effectuating the decree of the Apex Court, but no steps were taken on the same. It is contended by the learned Senior Counsel for the petitioners that the police are duty bound to afford adequate assistance to see that the directions of the Apex Court are complied with in full and that the refusal to do so is completely inexcusable. WP(C) NO.11685 OF 2022 -: 7 :- 6. Respondents 10 to 13 have filed a counter affidavit stating that the 10[th] respondent is the Vicar of the St.Mary's Jacobite Syrian Church, Mangalam Dam and that he is authorised to swear to the affidavit on behalf of respondents 11, 12 and 13 as well. It is contended that the writ petition filed for conduct of religious services on the basis of police protection orders is completely misconceived and that the police cannot render any assistance as sought for. It is submitted that there is no breach of peace and therefore, the writ petition is not maintainable. It is further submitted that there is no St.Mary's Orthodox Syrian Church in existence within the areas of the Mangalam Dam Village in Vandazhi Panchayat in Alathur Taluk and that the Church in existence is the St.Mary's Jacobite Syrian Church, Mangalam Dam. It is stated that one of the parishioners of the St.Mary's Jacobite Syrian Church had filed O.S. No.305/2021 seeking a declaration that Fr.Mathai Panakuttiyil is not a Priest or Vicar of the St.Mary's Jacobite Syrian Church, Mangalam Dam and to issue a permanent prohibitory injunction restraining him from assuming office of the Vicar or trespassing into the plaint schedule property and the said suit is pending before the Munsiff WP(C) NO.11685 OF 2022 -: 8 :- Court, Alathur. It is further contended that the 3[rd] petitioner Fr.Sam Varghese is working as Manager, Orthodox Bishop's House, Gedseemon Aramana, Mannuthy, Thrissur and he has no locus standi to approach this Court. It is stated that in Ext.P9 complaint submitted before the police, no police protection is sought for and therefore, this Court cannot direct police protection to be granted since there is no demand and refusal. It is further contended that what is essentially sought for is the execution of a judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court which is outside the scope of the jurisdiction of this Court under Article 226 of the Constitution of India. It is further contended that Article 226 cannot be used as a remedy for enforcing civil court judgment. It is further contended that a Contempt of Court Case has been moved before the Apex Court as Contempt Petition (Civil) No.1022/2019 and therefore, the petitioners have to await the logical conclusion of the said case and cannot, in the meanwhile, file this writ petition for the same remedy. 7. The learned Senior Counsel appearing for respondents 10 to 13 places reliance on the decision in Aligarh Municipal Board & ors. v. Ekka Tonga Mazdoor Union & ors. [AIR 1970 SC WP(C) NO.11685 OF 2022 -: 9 :- 1767] to contend that the petitioners cannot file a writ petition when the very same issue is pending in Contempt before the Apex Court. The decision in Moran Mar Baselious Mathews II v. State of Kerala [2003 (1) KLT 780] ( overruled ) is also relied on to contend that the scope of Mandamus is limited. The decision in State of U. P. v. Nawab Hussain [AIR 1977 SC 1680] is relied on to contend that constructive res judicata would apply in writ proceedings as well. A decision of this Court in K. C. Thomas v. Superintendent of Police [1980 KLT 151] is relied on to contend that questions of right cannot be adjudicated by the police and where there is a genuine civil dispute, the police cannot be directed to decide any issues. The decision of a Division Bench of this Court in The Malankara Rubber & Produce Co. Ltd. v. Appachan Varghese & others [1988 (2) KLJ 295] is also relied on to contend that the police can only maintain law and order and prevent commission of offences, but the factual question as to who has committed offences, if any cannot be decided by the police. The decisions in Kochupennu Ambujakshi & another v. Velutha Kunju Vasu Channar & ors. [1992 (2) KLJ 606], George Mirante v. State of Kerala [1990 (2) KLT 89], Prabhu v. Indira WP(C) NO.11685 OF 2022 -: 10 :- [1994 (2) KLT 75] and Thrissur Expressway Limited v. State of Kerala [2022 (4) KLT 702] are also relied on to contend that cases of a civil nature cannot be decided by the police and no police protection would be maintainable. 8. The learned Additional Advocate General submits that in the facts of this case, it appears that the Jacobite faction is presently in possession of the Church and that religious services are also being carried out in the Church. It is submitted that the police and the state administration are fully bound by the decisions of the Apex Court in K.S. Varghese v. St. Peter's & Paul's Syrian Orthodox Church and others. However, it is contended that at present, there is no breach of peace and that the assistance as required by the petitioners may lead to a breach of peace which is the reason why the same has not been enforced till date. 9. I have considered the contentions advanced. I notice that the instant case is admittedly one, where a civil suit had been filed in the representative capacity before the Munsiff Court, Alathur, where leave was granted under Section 92. The suit was transferred to the 1[st] Additional District Court, WP(C) NO.11685 OF 2022 -: 11 :- Ernakulam and re-numbered. Thereafter, an I.A. was filed to revoke the leave already granted, which was allowed. The matter was taken before this Court in FAO and a common judgment was rendered dismissing the FAO and upholding the revocation of the leave and the removal of the case from the list. The Apex Court granted leave under Article 136 of the Constitution of India and disposed of the Civil Appeal by Ext.P7 order. In the above factual background, the respondents cannot raise contentions regarding the identity of the church and regarding its status as one of the constitutional churches of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. 10. With regard to one of the churches covered by the common judgment in the FAO, Ext.P25 judgment has been rendered by this Court considering almost identical contentions. The contention that the Church in question is not a constituent church of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Sabha and that the contesting respondents therein including the 14[th] respondent who was the lawfully appointed Vicar were considered by this Court. In the absence of documents to show that the 14[th] respondent therein was appointed in accordance with the 1934 Constitution WP(C) NO.11685 OF 2022 -: 12 :- and relying on the judgment of a Division Bench of this Court in Mar Miletius Yuhanon v. Mar Thomas Dionysious & Ors. [2020 (4) KHC 14] and in Marthoman Church, Mulanthuruthy & Ors. v. State of Kerala & Ors. [2020 (3) KHC 448], this Court held that it is the duty of the police to see that law and order which is a matter of governance is maintained by all citizens. It was found that the civil court does not have the machinery to see that all decrees are executed. If there is an illegal obstruction to the execution of a decree, police assistance for the purpose can be ordered. Where the Apex Court has specifically declared the law and has held that the law laid down is applicable to all the constituent churches under the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, the respondents cannot be heard to raise contentions against the findings already rendered by the Apex Court specifically stating that such directions are intended to operate in respect of all such churches. It is true that in a case where there are bona fide disputes with regard to the nature and identity of the property involved, this Court would not be justified in directing police protection to be granted or in attempting to resolve such bona fide disputes in proceedings under Article 226. WP(C) NO.11685 OF 2022 -: 13 :- However, when the objections raised are only for the purpose of frustrating the proper enforcement of binding orders of the Apex Court, this Court would not be powerless to pass appropriate orders to see that the directions of the Apex Court are complied with by all concerned. 11. In the instant case, the church in question is admittedly a church coming under the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church . The contention of the respondents is that they are in possession of the Church. However, no material is on record to show that the 10[th] respondent has been appointed as Vicar of the St.Mary's Orthodox Syrian Church in accordance with the 1934 Constitution. If that be so, the attempt of the party respondents and their contentions in the counter affidavit can only be seen as a ruse to get over the binding directions of the Apex Court. 12. The contention that a Contempt Petition is pending before the Apex Court and therefore, the writ petition would not be maintainable is also completely untenable since the filing of a Contempt of Court Case by some other beneficiaries of the judgment cannot be a ground for the contesting respondents who WP(C) NO.11685 OF 2022 -: 14 :- were the party respondents in the FAO and the SLP to contend that they will not comply with the binding directions of the Apex Court. The further contention that the decree has to be executed through the machinery provided in the CPC would also not be acceptable in view of the specific directions of the Apex Court contained in Ext.P7. This Court in the judgment dated 18.5.2020 in W.P.(C) No.4071/2020 had specifically considered these contentions and had held as follows :- “13. Therefore, the objection that the petitioners will have to move the civil court for execution of the decree is untenable. It is true that some of the members of the Catholic faction had moved the Apex Court in contempt for non compliance of the directions in K.S.Varghese case (supra). Prayers have been made for police protection to the Vicars appointed under the 1934 Constitution. The power of this Court is not foreclosed merely because some petitions are pending before the Apex Court, unless the Apex Court had issued any directions restricting this Court in entertaining and disposing any of the matters pending before this Court. The application appears to have been moved before the Apex Court as early as on 25.11.2019. No doubt if any directions are issued by the Apex Court, this Court is bound to follow such directions. In the absence of such directions, this Court need not consider any such objections at this stage. In constitutional scheme, the power of the High Court to protect the fundamental rights of the citizens is at par with the Hon'ble Supreme Court. Therefore, in a writ of mandamus moved to protect the rights of the citizens, WP(C) NO.11685 OF 2022 ## -: 15 :- the Court must act swiftly, especially when, subject of such dispute pertains to law and order on account of disobedience to the directions of the Apex Court.” I find from the pleadings on record that the party respondents are only attempting to delay the matter and that they have not raised any sustainable contentions which can be considered by this Court in these proceedings. Only a bona fide dispute as regards the identity of the property can be a bar to this Court considering a prayer for police protection especially in view of the binding directions of the Apex Court in the nature of the directions issued in the instant case in the SLP. In the facts and circumstances of the case and in the light of the findings of the Apex Court in K.S. Varghese's case which have become final, I am of the opinion that the contentions taken by the respondents with regard to the name and identity of the church are not bona fide disputes with regard to identity and are intended only to delay the due execution of the directions of the Apex Court. 13. In the above view of the matter and in view of the specific findings of the Apex Court in K.S. Varghese's case as also in Ext.P7 order, I am of the opinion that the respondents are duty bound to see that the directions of the Apex Court are complied WP(C) NO.11685 OF 2022 -: 16 :- with in full. The petitioners are entitled to succeed in this writ petition. The writ petition is, therefore, allowed. There will be a direction to the police to see that appropriate steps are taken in compliance with Ext.P7 judgment. Adequate protection will be granted to the petitioners who are the lawfully appointed Vicars of the Church in accordance with the 1934 Constitution to enter the Church and to carry out the religious services in the Church without let or hindrance from respondents 10 to 13 or anybody claiming through them. Appropriate steps shall be taken by the respondents to comply with the directions within a period of one month from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. Sd/ANU SIVARAMAN JUDGE Jvt/13.1.2023 WP(C) NO.11685 OF 2022 ## -: 17 :- ## **APPENDIX OF WP(C) 11685/2022** PETITIONER EXHIBITS Exhibit P1 TRUE COPY OF THE KALPANA BEARING NO. 48/PRAP/18 DTD. 03.09.2018 ISSUED BY THE DIOCESAN METROPOLITAN, THRISSUR DIOCESE OF MALANKARA ORTHODOX CHURCH APPOINTING THE 2ND PETITIONER AS THE VICAR OF THE 1ST PETITIONER CHURCH. Exhibit P2 TRUE COPY OF THE KALPANA BEARING NO. 49/PRTP/21 DTD. 22.09.2021 ISSUED BY THE DIOCESAN METROPOLITAN, THRISSUR DIOCESE OF MALANKARA ORTHODOX CHURCH APPOINTING THE 3RD PETITIONER AS THE ASSISTANT VICAR OF THE 1ST PETITIONER CHURCH. Exhibit P3 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 19.04.2018 IN CIVIL APPEAL NOS.3986 - 3989 OF 2018 ON THE FILES OF THE HON'BLE SUPREME COURT . Exhibit P4 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT IN FR. ISSAC MATTAMEL COR EPISCOPA REPORTED IN 2019 (10) SCC 606. Exhibit P5 TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DTD. 20.03.2018 IN I.A NO. 5432/2017 IN O.S NO. 7/2014 ON THE FILES OF 1ST ADDITIONAL DISTRICT COURT, ERNAKULAM. Exhibit P6 TRUE COPY OF JUDGMENT DTD. 10.07.2018 IN FAO NOS. 96 OF 2018 ON THE FILES OF THIS HON'BLE COURT. Exhibit P7 TRUE COPY OF THE COMMON ORDER DTD. 26.02.2019 IN CIVIL APPEAL NO. 2448/2019 ON THE FILES OF THE HON'BLE SUPREME COURT. Exhibit P8 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DTD. 11.03.2020 IN O.S NO. 74/2019 ON THE FILES OF MUNSIFF COURT, ALATHUR. Exhibit P9 TRUE COPY OF THE REPRESENTATION DTD. 08.09.2021 SUBMITTED BY THE 2ND PETITIONER ALONG WITH THE SECRETARY AND TRUSTEE OF THE 1ST PETITIONER WP(C) NO.11685 OF 2022 ## -: 18 :- ||CHURCH BEFORE RESPONDENTS 2 TO 9.| |---|---| |Exhibit P10|TRUE COPY OF THE AD CARD EVIDENCING RECEIPT OF| ||EXT.P9 REPRESENTATION BY THE 3RD RESPONDENT ON| ||17.09.2021.| |Exhibit P11|TUE COPY OF THE AD CARD EVIDENCING RECEIPT OF| ||EXT.P9 REPRESENTATION BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT ON| ||16.09.2021.| |Exhibit P12|TRUE COPY OF THE AD CARD EVIDENCING RECEIPT OF| ||EXT.P9 REPRESENTATION BY THE 5TH RESPONDENT ON| ||16.09.2021.| |Exhibit P13|TRUE COPY OF THE AD CARD EVIDENCING RECEIPT OF| ||EXT.P9 REPRESENTATION BY THE 6TH RESPONDENT ON| ||17.09.2021.| |Exhibit P14|TRUE COPY OF THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT RECEIPT BEARING| ||NO.290 DTD. 09.09.2021 ISSUED FROM THE OFFICE OF| ||THE 7TH RESPONDENT ON SUBMISSION EXT.P9| ||REPRESENTATION.| |Exhibit P15|TRUE COPY OF THE AD CARD EVIDENCING RECEIPT OF| ||EXT.P9 REPRESENTATION BY THE 8TH RESPONDENT ON| ||16.09.2021.| |Exhibit P16|TRUE COPY OF THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT RECEIPT WITH| ||REFERENCE PETITION NO. 117724/2021 DTD.| ||09.09.2021 ISSUED FROM THE 9TH RESPONDENT'S| ||OFFICE.| |Exhibit P17|TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DTD. 03.12.2019| ||REPORTED AS FR. THOMAS PAUL RAMBAN V. DISTRICT| ||COLLECTOR, ERNAKULAM & OTHERS; 2020 (3) KLT 124.| |Exhibit P18|TRUE COPY OF JUDGMENT REPORTED IN MARTHOMAN| ||CHURCH V. STATE OF KERALA, 2020 (3) KLT 231.| |Exhibit P19|TRUE COPY OF ORDER DTD. 29.07.2020 IN COC| ||NO.777/2020.| |Exhibit P20|TRUE COPY OF THE INTERIM ORDER DTD. 10.08.2020| WP(C) NO.11685 OF 2022 ## -: 19 :- IN CC NO.777/2020. Exhibit P21 TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DTD. 12.08.2020 IN W.A NO. 1046/2020 ON THE FILES OF THIS HON'BLE COURT. Exhibit P22 TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DTD. 22.06.2020 IN W.P. (C) NO.11182/2020. Exhibit P23 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DTD. 16.07.2020 IN W.P.(C) NO.11182/2020. Exhibit P24 TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DTD. 12.08.2020 IN W.P. (C) NO.27219/2020. Exhibit P25 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DTD. 12.08.2020 IN W.P.(C) NO.8528/2019. Exhibit P26 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DTD. 12.08.2021 IN W.P.(C) NO. 35613/2019 AND W.P.(C) NO. 19419/2021. Exhibit P27 TRUE COPY OF JUDGMENT DTD. 03.01.2019 IN W.P.(C) NO. 30474/2018.